Downey has an offer from the Gophers and UW-Green Bay, along with interest from Creighton, Georgia and DePaul.
D’Andre Downey, a 6-foot-8 junior forward from Milwaukee Riverside, played in the Twin Cities recently in the East Metro Showcase. Downey, who has a Minnesota offer, recently became eligible for the Tigers, who are 13-3 and ranked No. 5 in Division I (Wisconsin’s biggest class). Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith and assistants Saul Smith and Vince Taylor recently watched Downey and senior teammate Philip Nolan play against Hopkins.
Downey is a long, athletic player with good shot blocking skills. He needs to continue to improve his offensive range as he scores most of his baskets around the hoops. Downey runs the floor well, but like Nolan, he needs to get stronger and improve his rebounding.
GopherHole recently caught up with Downey to learn the latest on his recruitment.
Gopher Hole: How does it feel to be back on the court?
D’Andre Downey: I feels great. Get back in shape and get back on the court. It feels good. Real good.
Gopher Hole: I know that you are a competitive kid. Was it tough to not be able to be out there and help your teammates?
D’Andre Downey: It was real tough, especially watching the loss to East Troy. It was tough
Gopher Hole: What things were you able while you were sitting out to continue to improve yourself as a player?
D’Andre Downey: I worked hard in practice. That’s all I could do, so I worked hard in practice and got back on top of stuff and got back on the court.
Gopher Hole: What is the latest on your recruitment? What schools are you hearing from right now?
D’Andre Downey: Mainly, Minnesota and Creighton. Georgia and DePaul, also.
Gopher Hole: What schools have offered you so far?
D’Andre Downey: Minnesota and Green Bay.
Gopher Hole: Have you had a chance to go to any college games at all this year?
D’Andre Downey: No.
Gopher Hole: Are you going to try to visit some schools after the season is done?
D’Andre Downey: That is what I am going to do after the end of the season.
Gopher Hole: Who are you playing for AAU-wise this spring and summer?
D’Andre Downey: The DTA Spartans.
Gopher Hole: What are you hearing from the Gophers?
D’Andre Downey: They are telling me about the team and that it would be a good fit for me to go there, because they fit my playing style.
Gopher Hole: Have you been to Minnesota at all to visit?
D’Andre Downey: No. I haven’t been there yet.
Gopher Hole: Do you like playing these tough games where you play good opponents to get you ready for the playoffs?
D’Andre Downey: I like playing tough teams because it gets me better as a person and as a basketball player. Playing against teams like that is going to help you get better and prepare you for what’s next.
Gopher Hole: Do you also see things that you need to work on team-wise and individual-wise?
D’Andre Downey: In games like this, you see a lot of things that you can be working on, like where to get the ball and how intense you have to play.
Gopher Hole: When you decide on a college, what are going to be main things that are going to make you pick one school over another?
D’Andre Downey: A good academic program and a good athletic program.
Gopher Hole: Does location matter much? Do you want to stay somewhat close to home or does that matter?
D’Andre Downey: Location really don’t matter.
Gopher Hole: Was grades the reason you had to sit out the beginning of the season?
D’Andre Downey: Yes. It was grades.
Gopher Hole: Was that a learning experience for you that you have to take school more seriously?
D’Andre Downey: It taught me a lot about myself. And what I could do and what I can’t do. It helped build character not being out on the court, due to grades. It showed the importance of grades.